Fornia



June 5, 1928. 1,672,174

J. M. RUEDY PLAY BALL Filed Sept. 28, 1927 INVEN TOR.

Patented June 5, 1923.

, UNrrnol STATES PATENTr OFFICE,

yJ'ULIUS M. RUEDY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO LICHTENBERGER FERGUSON COMPANY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION 01Ei CALL FORNIA.

PLAY BALL.

.Application .filed September 28, 1927.

This invention relates to play balls, and the main object is to provide an improved type of ball, particularly of the character used for indoor and outdoor baseball. Balls of this character are usually provided with a core having a surface wrapping of cord of substantial thickness, which is covered by a pair of sections of skin or the like stitched together at the margins.

It is an object of this invention to provide an intermediate wrapping between the corded surface wrapping of the core and the outer covering, which may be adhesively applied to the core for the purpose of preventing the loosening, detachment or breakage of the corded surface Wrapping due to the creeping of the outer cover thereon during use.

In the case of indoor baseballs the outer covers are not stretched as tight over the core as they are on outdoor` baseballs. In either case the impact of the ball with the ground and hands of the players, or the bats, causes a creeping of the outer cover on the core. This in turn causes a breakage of the strands, libres, cords or the like which constitute the surface wrapping of the core, and rapid deterioration of the ball usually results.

I have found that by applying strips `of adhesive tape with the adhesive sides inward and stretched over the surface of the corded Wrapping of the core, circumferentially and in intersecting planes, the outer wrapping of the core is protected so that any breakage of the cords which may result from the creeping of the outer cover will effec-t the ball only at local points.

Furthermore, addition of the intermediate wrapping between the core and the cover to a substantial extent reduces the creeping tendency of the outer cover, due to the increased friction on the cover.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a detached core such as is used in an indoor baseball, with my improvements applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a view of an indoor baseball embodying my improvements, with the outer cover partially open.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of an outdoor baseball embodying my improvements.

My improvements may be arranged in Serial No. 222,519.

substantially the same manner for the several kinds of balls now in use. I prefer, however, to employ a plurality of strips of adhesive tape as at a, a, etc., which are adapted to extend circumferentially around the corded core B of the ball, so that the plurality of strips a, a, etc., will be disposed in intersectingI planes.

A sulficient number of the strips a should be employed so that a major portion of the core B will be covered thereby, so that a plurality of relatively segmental portions as at b, Z), etc., will be exposed for contact nwith the outer covering C when the ball is 1n use. v

Said. outer cover as shown in Fig. 2, is of typical construction embodying a pair of elongated strips of skin or the like, stitched together at their margins D, D, etc., or otherwise formed, this cover being immaterial to my invention.

In the construction of a bally embodying my improvements it is important that a plurality of strips of material beemployed and arranged in intersecting planes, for the reason that the strips will adhere to each other at the points of intersection, as well as to the corded surface wrapping of the core thus preventing the displacement of; the several strips, and rendering the core more durable than would otherwise be possible.

It is desirable that the cover C be stretched as tightly as possible over the core after the wrapping A has been applied, and the outer surfaces of the strips a are sufiiciently frictional when the covers C are properly applied to provide aganst undue creeping of the cover on the core.

It will ybe readily apparent to those skilled in the science and art of baseball that my improvements may be modilied within the scope of the appended claims to meet varying conditions of use, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Vhat I claim is: l

l. A ball comprising la core having a wrapping of cord, an outer covering there'- for, and a wrapping of adhesive material interposed between said cord and said cover.

2. A ball comprising a core having a wrapping of cord, a wrapping of adhesive fabric applied to the surface of the core, and a covering enclosing the core and adhesive wrapping.

8. A ball comprising a core having a Wrapping of cord, a Wrapping of adhesive fabric applied and having the adhesive Side thereof adJacent to the surface of said core,

and an cuter ccvering stretched over said core and said fabric and Stitched together its margins.

4. A ball comprising a core having a surA face wrapping of cord, strips of adhesive tape encompassing and adapted to adhere to the surface of said core, and a cover enclosing said Core, described.

5. A ball'comprisinga case having surface Wrapping of cord, a plurality of Stripsof adhesive tape circumferentially. disposed on Said core in intersecting plane@ and a cover 'for enclosing the core and strips, said tape having kits adhesive surface adjacent andv applied to the corded surface of the core, .for thepurpose described.

6. A ball comprising a core provided with a wrapping of cordy therearound, an outer covering' therefor, and a wrapping of noncrceping fabric applied over the Wrapping of cord and composed of stri-ps of fabric, for the purpose described.

JUL-IUSy RUEDY;v 

